When Ryan Warsofsky was named head coach of Team USA for the upcoming world championship, it probably raised some eyebrows around the league. After all, leading the Sharks to a 20-50-12 record, resulting in 52 points in his only season behind the bench at the top level, doesn't inspire confidence on paper. However, upon closer examination, it makes sense.
Warsofsky was promoted to head coach of the Sharks during the 2024 offseason after the team parted ways with David Quinn following one of the worst seasons in the salary cap era. Warsofsky had a decorated resume coaching in the AHL and ECHL for the Chicago Wolves and South Carolina Stingrays, respectively, before his time as an assistant on Quinn’s staff.
His first season was not great from a results perspective; the Sharks improved by 5 points and one win on their anemic 47-point 2024 season under Quinn. However, despite the poor results, the Sharks showed positive signs of life, and Ryan Warsofsky is a big part of that. The team competed every night and was in a lot of games this season. Especially in February, during the trade deadline, when the team was still in games despite losing a significant number of contributors, such as Granlund, Kunin, Ceci, and Zetterlund. That's not an easy thing to do, and it's a big testament to Warsofsky’s ability to keep the room together during this time despite the results not being there. The biggest selling point for me on Warsofsky was the system change around the midpoint of the season. It shows his adaptability and willingness to change or adapt to what he is seeing on the ice and with his players. His change to the system helped tremendously with the Sharks structure breaking out of their own zone, and it showed in the 2nd half of the season.
A big reason the Sharks hired Warsofsky was his ability to connect with and develop the young players on the team. Macklin Celebrini had one of the best 18-year-old seasons of all time. Will Smith and Shakir Muhkamadulin looked like completely different players from the first to their last games of the season. Guys like Colin Graf and Jack Thompson showed some potential throughout the year. This has been a massive year for the Sharks from a development standpoint since they started rebuilding back in 2022, and it’s no coincidence it coincides with Warsofsky’s first season.
It may have been a rough season for the Sharks, but our young talent offers hope on the horizon. This includes the youngest coach in the NHL, and he is the perfect guy to grow with our team as we enter the next phase of Sharks hockey. The fact that Team USA felt confident to name Warsofsky head coach for the World Championship should vindicate just how valued he is around NHL circles.